Am I stressing my pullets?

[Mommytmk]

I am brand new to raising chickens. I just picked up my 3 bantam Flavorells this past Friday. They were hatched on March 21. I have a purchased coop with attached run. The run area is approximately 18 square feet. Is this too small for my babies? I hope to add on to the run space but I won't be able to do it until later in June (I am a teacher and this is not a time to start a big home project). I hope I am not stressing out my pullets. I really want to let them free range in the back yard but I am terrified of them getting caught by a hawk. I am open to all advice.

 

[sourland]

Monitor closely, but they should be fine until June; however, i would immediately put a hardware cloth apron around the coop and run so that nothing can dig in and kill them.

 

[FunClucks]

3 Bantams in that space should be fine for now. They are only two months old, so won't reach full size until 5-6 months. Even then, space recommendations for bantams are less than full size fowl, because bantams are smaller. Pay attention to how they act, and how they treat each other, and you may be able to tell how stressed they are. But that space looks good to me - I think they'll be okay until you have time to expand the run.

I like that you have plenty of things to block line of sight so they can run away from each other and escape, they have a combo of shade and sun, plenty of ventilation, and can all eat and drink at once without one bird running the others off too much. I'd keep an eye on the ventilation for the coop - it may need more this summer depending on your weather. Keep/put a thermometer in there and check during the hottest part of the day. Where I live in North Alabama, I need at least 3 sq feet open space above the chickens' heads per chicken (for large fowl) to get adequate coop ventilation. Due to the hot and humid weather here, I skipped the coop totally and they live year-round in a covered run.

If you search around on this site, you may find more information. General recommendation for standard fowl is 10 sq ft in the run and 4 sq ft in the coop per chicken, but can be less or more depending on the individual chickens. Also, 3 sq ft per chicken ventilation at least if you live in weather similar to South Carolina, Virginia, or Texas and areas southward.

Bantam recommendations are less than that, but I don't remember them.

 

[FunClucks]

x2 on please put down an apron. 1/2" 19 gage hardware cloth as wide as you can afford. Most recommend 1.5-2 ft wide aprons, I use 3 ft wide due to a multitude of digging predators. Secure the apron to your run (you can use metal zip ties or lumber with screws and radial washers. If you use lumber and staples, put a wood trim piece over the staples to hide them and secure them because racoons can rip staples out.) and use landscape stakes to pin the apron to the ground. Grass will grow through the apron and you can mow over it.

Also, if you have racoons in your area, I'd recommend you replace your sliding bolt latches with latches that allow you to put carabiners through them to keep them closed. If you have racoons, they can open those sliding bolt latches no problem. Any opening in your run at joints or doors or roof should be less than 1/2" to prevent predator entry. If you have an area larger, block it somehow or put some 1/2" hardware cloth over it.

Enjoy your chickens! They look super cute!